Star filly “as good as ever” ahead of NZ Trotting Oaks

There are short priced  favourites and then there is Keayang Zahara (Volstead).

The unbeaten Australian harness racing filly is at $1.04 to win Friday’s $140,000 Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington Raceway (9.02pm) with Princess Sadie, Empire City and High Step all joint second favourite at $12.

That she’s considered unbeatable won’t be a surprise to anyone after her eight length demolition of the field in her New Zealand debut, the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT on Show Day, November 15.

Driver Jason Lee is back in Christchurch and will consult with foreman and caretaker trainer Antti Ruokonen on the star filly’s final touches before she goes for a 13th successive win.

“Antti says she’s been great since the last win. Yes, she was a bit tired after it and a bit stiff, too, but the track was quite heavy through Cup Week and you saw that with slower times they were running,” Lee said.

“She bounced back quickly and Antti said everything points to her being as good as ever.

“The one thing I’m keen to see myself is how fresh she seems. On the Tuesday before the slot race, she was bouncing around and double barrelling, if she’s like that again I’ll give her a hit out the day before the race (Thursday).”

“It wouldn’t be ideal if she was too fresh behind the starting gate.”

Lee, who surrendered two key drives on Inter Dominion opening night at Newcastle to partner Keayang Zahara, was pleased with barrier seven for the daughter of Volstead.

“It’s about where you’d like and takes the pressure out of potentially having to really use her early,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll have plenty of early speed when we want to use it, and maybe we’ll use some this week, but we’ve spent a lot of time training to settle and relax.

“The other top filly (Empire City) is drawn outside us and I’m sure we’ve got the speed to keep them all outside of us as we float forward.

“It’s only short (1980m), so we’re best working forward to stay away from any traffic.”

Keayang Zahara brilliantly won all 11 Aussie runs, including five at Group 1 level, before becoming the talk of NZ Cup Week.

Connections immediately opted to stay in NZ for the Oaks, but will delay a decision on staying another week for the $200,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Derby.

“It really is one race at a time,” Lee said. “It makes sense to stay because we’re here and it’s only another week, but we’re mindful of how far she’s come so quickly and it’s still her first campaign.

“Let’s just see how she gets through this week and we’ll make the Derby call by Sunday, I’d think.”

For complete race entries, click here 

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand